Catalytic lighter



May 5# 1947- G. P. scHNfu-r'r 2,419,972

CATALYTI LIGHTERv Filed Feb. 18, l1946 INVENTQR.

GEO/egli PH/L/P JcH/v/Tr ATTQRNEY Patented May 6, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in cigarette or like catalytic lighters wherein a pill made of spcngy platinum or similar catalytic substance is made to coact with the vapor of alcohol or similar vaporizable liquid in the presence of atmospheric air, as to render such catalyst incandescent.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighter of the catalytic type wherein the lighter is placed in operable condition by the automatic nipping open of the cover.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lighter of the catalytic type wherein the swinging of the lid is automatically eiected by the releasing of a locking device under spring action.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a catalytic lighter for cigarettes or the like wherein both the air admission valve and the valve through which the air charged vaporizable fuel is admitted to the catalyst are controlled by operation of the lid.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide novel mechanism cooperating with the lid to effect the aforementioned controllability of the said valves.

A catalytic lighter made in accordance with this invention has a catalyst unit set in the top of the casing and a fuel admission valve held normally closed by the action of a spring, the stem of the valve extending within the casing, said lighter being characterized in that there is provided within-the casing a slidable inverted U-shaped member or the like contacting an air admission valve device held open by the action of a spring, the legs of the member being guided by the side walls of the casing and the member being retracted against the tension of the latter spring by a pin slidable in the said top and in contact With the member, lby the closing of the lid; and upon opening of the cover the said member being urged upwardly by release of the tension on the latter spring, opening the air admission valve and depressing the first-mentioned spring thereby opening the fue] valve to permit the air-charged fuel to reach the catalyst. Upon closing the lid thereby depressing the U- shaped member, tension on the fuel valve spring is released and the fuel valve closes. Other objects and advantages will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and in part hereinafter indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis of this invention.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinationvof parts and in the unique relations of the members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof; all as more completely outlined herein.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a catalytic lighter made in accordance with the invention;

Fig, 2 is a top view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a View of an inverted U-shaped member employable in the invention;

Fig. 4 is a top view of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a side view of an air admission valve device carrying a wick or fuel reservoir;

Fig 6 is a side view of the bottom element Fig. 6a is a bottom view of Fig. 6;

Fig. 7 is a top View of the lighter with the lid in open position;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the lighter with the lid open, the valves being seen in open positions;

Fig. 9 is aview similar to Fig. 8, with the lid and the valves in closed positions;

Fig. 9a is a detail sectional View of the lower portion of Fig. 9;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a catalyst unit employable in the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the draw- ,ing there is disclosed a casing 20 having side walls 2l a top 22 and a removable bottom 23.

VTop 22 has a central threaded opening 24 whichthreadedly engages the catalyst unit shown in Fig. 10. This catalyst unit may comprise an outwardly dared cup or ferrule 25 reduced at its lower end and the .bottom 25 which is provided with an opening 2l for the passage of the air- 'charged fuel to the catalyst'ZS disposed in said reduced portion and interposed between two screen elements 2S, the lower one of which rests on bottom 26. A retainer ring 30 holds the catalyst 28 and screen elements 29 in place. The catalyst 28 may be provided with a plurality of perforations 3i. The cup or ferrule 25 is held in a holder 32 by the retainer ring 33. Holder 32 has a flanged portion 34 which rests on the top 22 and a threaded portion 35 which engages the threaded opening 24 of casing 20.

The top 22 of casing 2li is provided with a recess i0 within which projects a finger piece il pivoted to the side walls of the recess as indicated at 42. Set in a recess 43 in nger piece 4| and bearing against recess i2 in top 22 is a helical spring es. It is evident *that finger piece il may be' rockedL about its pivot 42 and when depressed will be urged back to its original position by spring dll. Finger piece 4| has aprojection or latch 45 adapted to overlie and en'.V

gage the recessed forward end 46 of lid or cover 41 when the latter is in closed position. Top 22 of casing 20 has a recess 48 to the lateral walls of which is pivoted the opposite end 49 of lid 41 as indicated at 50. Lid 41 is urged to an open position by spring 5l retained in recess 48. Thus, it is evident that by pressing down of finger piece 4|, lid 41 will be released therefrom and flip open; and when the lid is manually closed with a little pressure, vtip or end 46 of lid l41 will'depress latch 45 until tip 46 is caught thereunder.

Below cup 25 and held in place by a washer 55 is a valve seat 55, made of rubber or suitable composition material, for valve head 51. Valve stem 58 has an enlarged end 59 and between washer 55 and end 59 is disposed a helical spring Ell. It is evident that spring 60 normally maintains valve head 51 against valve seat 56. Although one form of catalyst unit and valve construction has been shown herein, it is understood that any other suitable construction may be employed. .Li-d 41 has a recess 52 within which is disposed a suitable seal 53 which bears against the flared rim of cup 25 when the lid is in closed position.

Within casing 20 is disposed .a relatively thin element 6l preferably in inverted U-shaped form having its legs 62 in slidable .engagement with the internal walls of the Vsides of the casing. Bearing against the upper face of the vcross member 63 of element 6l is the enlarged end of a pin 64 slidable in a bore .in top 22 of casing 2U and engageable with lid 41 in closing position of the latter.

The cross member 63 of element (il is in engagement with the slot of enlargement 65a of stem 65 of the air admission valve; said valve having a valve head 66. A helical spring 61 has its upper portion encircling stem 65 below flange or stop 65h, the lower end of helical spring 61 bearing against washer 69 in recess 69a of bottom 23. Valve head 65-has a projection 10 fitting into an opening 1Ia which is formed in the valve seat 1I` for valve head 66. Valve seat 1l rests on part l2 of betteln- 23- The bottom 2?. has an evening 68 reeeiv-ine the end 0i proieeten l0- Greeves 01' channels. '13 Connect with @peiling G3 through which when valve 66 is open, atmospheric air `may be admitted into the casing fer edmixture in the casingwith the f uel vapor therein.` Valve semli carries the fuel reservoir. 15 which may be mede f absorbent or liquid fuel-retaining 01' fuel-CODaIiig maralf RQSSIVQI 75 may be provided with grooves or channels 16 for passage of the air-fuel mixture.

As lid 4 1 is closed, pin 64 is forced downward, thus pushing element 6l in downward direction against the action of spring 61. By this action the air admission valve is closed and the fuel valve stem 58 is released from element 6| thereby allowing spring 60 to expand and close the fuel valve.v When the lid is flipped open, pressure on pin 64 is released and spring 61 pushes air admission valve head 66 from valve seat 1I, thus allowing air to enter the casing, and the valve stem 65 of the air admission valve is pushed upward by element 6l thus unseating Valve head 51. I

I f the tip of a cigarette or the like is now placed in @up 25. and. drawn upon by the emelser, air will be drawn up through the air admission valve, mix,with the fuel vaporin the casing and. the air` and fuel mixture Willcontact the catalyst causing the latter to become incandescent by catalytic action. The lighter may be filled with.v

fuel by unscrewing holder 32 and pouring liquid fuel through the opening.

It is thus seen that the present invention com prises simple and practical lighters which will be safe, efficient, and reliable in use and operation. The device comprises relatively few parts which may be inexpensively manufactured and assembled and which is well adapted to accomplish, among others, all of the objects and advantages herein set forth.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that from the standpoint of the prior art fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. .A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having an opening therein, a catalyst unit removably secured in said opening, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a slidable member in saidlcasing engageable with said valve means when urged upwardly, a stem in engagement with said member, spring means in said casing for urging-said stem and thereby said memberupwardly, a lid for said casing, spring means urging said lid to open position, a spring operated ngerepiece pivoted in said top normally holding said lid closed and adapted to release said lid when being pressed downwardly, a pin slidable in said top and prog jecting yth'ereabove and therebelow, said pin being in contact with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said pin against the action of said spring means, a fuel reservoir in said casing carried by said stem, a removable bottom for said casing, air admission means in.

said bottom, and valve means controlling seid air admission means and comprising a. valve head on said stem and a valve seat carried by said' bottom.

2. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having anopening therein, a catalyst unit removably secured in said opening, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a slidable member in and guided by said casing and engageable with said valve means when urged upwardly, a stem in engagement with said member, spring means in said casing for urging said stem and thereby said member up wardly, a lid for said casing, spring means urging said lid to open position, a. spring operated finger-piece pivoted in said top normally holding said lid closed and adapted to release said lid when being pressed downwardly, a pin slidable in said top and projecting thereabove and therebelow, said pin being in contact with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said pin against the action of said spring means; a removable bottom for said casing, air admission means. in said bottom, valve means controlling said vair admission means and.com. prising a valve head on said stem andV a valve seat carriedV by said bottom.

3. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top havingv an opening therein. a catalyst unit thereabove and therebelow, said pin being in con-v tact with said member and contactable by said lid by they closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said pin against the action of said spring means, a fuel reservoir in said casing carried by said stem, a removable bottom for said casing, air admission means in said bottom, and valve means controlling said air admission means and comprising a valve head on said stem and a valve seat carried by saidfbottom.

4. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having an opening therein, a catalyst unit removably secured in said opening, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a slidable member in said'casing` engageable with said valve means when urged upwardly, a stem in engagement with said member, spring means in said casing for urging said stem and thereby said member upwardly, a lid for said casing, a pin slidable in said top and projecting thereabove and therebelow, said pin being in contact with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said pin against the action of said spring means, a bottom for said casing, air admission means in said bottom, and valve means controlling said air admission means and comprising a valve head on said stem and a valve seat carried by said bottom.

5. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having an opening therein, a catalyst u'nit removably secured in said opening, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a slidable member in said casing engageable with said valve means when urged upwardly, a stem in engagement with said member, spring means in said casing for urging said stem and thereby said member upwardly, a lid for said casing, spring means urging said lid to open position, a spring operated finger-piece pivoted in said top normally holding said lid closed and adapted to release said lid when being pressed downwardly, a pin slidable in said top and projecting thereabove and therebelow, said pin being in contact with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said pin against the action of said spring means, air admission means, and valve means within said casing controlling said air admission means.

6. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having a catalyst unit, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a slidable member in said casing engageable with said valve means when urged upwardly, a stem in engagement with said member, spring means in said casing for urging said stem and thereby said member upwardly, a lid for said casing, a pin slidable in said top and projecting thereabove and therebelow, said pin being in contact with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said pin against the action of said spring means, air admission means for admitting air into said casing, and valve means in said casing controlling said air admission means.

7. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having a catalyst unit,spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a slidable member in said casing engageable withsaid valve means when urged upwardly, a stem in engagement with said member, spring means in said casing for urging said stem and thereby said member upwardly, a lid forV said casing, spring means urging said lid to open position, a spring operated finger-piece pivoted in said top normally holding said lid closed and adapted to release said lid when being pressed downwardly, a pin slidable in said top and projecting thereabove and therebelow, said pin being in contact with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said pin against the action of said spring means, air admission means for admitting air into said casing, and valve means in said casing controlling said air admission means and comprising a valve head on said stem ,and a valve seat carried by said bottom.

8. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having a catalyst unit, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a slidable member in said casing engageable with said valve means when urged upwardly, spring controlled means in said casing for urging said member upwardly, a lid for said casing, a pin slidable in said top and projecting thereabove and therebelow, said pin being contactable with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said pin against the action of the spring in said spring controlled means, air-admission means for admitting air into said casing, and valve means operable by said spring controlled means for controlling said air-admission means.

9. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having a catalyst unit, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a reciprocatable member in said casing engageable with said valve means, spring controlled means in said casing for urging said member upwardly, a lid for said casing, an element slidable in said top and projecting thereabove and therebelow, said element being in contact with said member and contractable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said element against the action of said spring controlled means, and means for admitting air into said casing.

10. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having a catalyst unit, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a reciprocatable slidable member in said casing engageable with said valve means, spring controlled means in said casing for urging said member upwardly, a lid for said casing, spring means urging said lid to open position, a spring operated finger-piece pivoted in said top normally holding said lid closed and adapted to release said lid when being pressed downwardly, an element slidable in said top and projecting thereabove and therebelow, said element being in contact with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said element against the action of said spring controlled means, and means for admitting air into said casing, and valve means in said casing for controlling said air-admission means.

11. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having a catalyst unit, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said 7V unit, areciprocatable member in said casingY errgageable with said valve means, spring controlled means in said casing for urging said member up'- wardly, a lid for said'casing, an element slidable in said top and projecting thereabove and therebelow, said element being in Contact with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said element against the action of said spring controlled means, and means for admitting air into said casing, said air admitting means being controlalble by said spring controlled means.

12. A lighter comprising a casing provided with a top having a catalyst unit, spring controlled valve means operable in said casing below said unit, a reciprocatable slidable member in said casing engageable with said valve means, spring controlled means in said casing for urging said member upwardly, a lid for said casing, spring means urging said lid to open position, a spring operated linger-piece pivoted in said top normally holding said lid closed and adapted to release said 8fv lid when being pressed downwardly, an element slidable in said. top andv projecting thereabove, said element being in contact with said member and contactable by said lid by the closing thereof whereby said member is moved downward by said.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,754,319 Holtzman Apr. 15, 1930 1,817,335 Aronson Aug. 4, 1931 2,243,763 Milan May 27, 1941 2,243,539 Schmitt et al May 27, 1941 

